Bale it at source

Solid waste management poses a massive threat in India. Most of the agencies responsible for waste management are unable to provide proper systems, leading to collection and transportation becoming difficult and uncontrolled.

Against this backdrop, companies in the waste management space are testing technologies that can make a difference and are easy to install. Biocrux, which launched its at-the-source automatic PET bottle flaking machines some time ago, has now found an automated solution to handle dry waste at source.

It has introduced a new contraption christened the Biocrux VPM Hydraulic Vertical Press. The machine crushes non-bottle dry waste into bales, thereby reducing the cost of transport and fuel consumption while helping recyclers manage garbage efficiently. “To bale the waste, you automatically segregate it into different types, for instance you bale cans separately, packages and tetra packs separately,” explains Ajay Mishra, Founder Director and CEO, Biocrux. “This way waste is gets segregated and baled at the source itself. This helps in faster recycling.”

The VPM lets you reduce volume from 50 to 90 per cent depending on the waste you are baling. “This reduction in volume will save transportation cost, reduce fuel consumption hence lower emission of CO2,” Mishra adds. The segregated waste helps in recycling and protecting the environment from landfills and forest dumps. Essentially, the Biocrux VPM is a hydraulic pressing machine commonly called compactor. It consists of two chambers and two buttons. The top chamber is filled with soft packaging waste like tetra pack, plastic bags, paper, bubble wrap, waste corrugation boxes, aluminium cans etc.

After loading, the chamber is closed and at the press of a button the machine compresses the waste through its metallic frame attached hydraulic pressure.

Post compacting, at the push of another button the pressure is lifted and reloading can take place. One can continue to compress till the waste reaches the size of the bottom chamber. An attachment is enabled with three straps to tie up the bale once you are done. “VPM runs on electricity and needs to be plugged in through a 15MPR plug,” says Mishra.

Though a VPM weighs a whopping 640 kg, Mishra says this does not hinder easy installation and operation as it requires a mere 4-6 sq ft of space. “It can be installed in malls, IT parks, hotels, educational institutions and residential complexes” in short wherever installing a normal solid waste machine is a problem due to space. “The machine is heavy due to its requirement. You need to have a rigid and strong outer chamber for baling, else the wall will break due to pressure,” he reiterates in its defence, pointing out massive savings by managing waste at source. “Today several hundred trucks move around public spaces every day to clear garbage.”

The first such machine is being installed in Bhubaneswar CITM university. The company is in process of placing more such machines along with its Biocrux bottle flaking machines and the certification process is also in progress.

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